Guide Note

Spherical inflatable balls with a stippled surface basketballs are used to play the sport of basketball. Although the National Basketball Association uses smooth leather balls for professional play, most basketballs used for recreation are made of rubber or synthetic materials.

Fast Facts

1. First manufacturer: Spalding
2. Made from: Leather, rubber and/or synthetic materials
3. Price range: $9.99 - $100.00
4. Require regular inflation
5. Regulation NBA basketballs have a circumference of 29.5 inches¹
6. Spalding is the official manufacturer of NBA Basketballs¹
7. Orange is the most common color for basketballs

The inventor of basketball, James Naismith, first used a soccer ball to play the game in 1891. According to the original rules, the ball was not bounced and could only be advanced by throwing to a teammate. ²

In 2006, an attempt was made to replace the leather basketball with a ball made of synthetic materials at the professional level. After half a season, the NBA went back to using the original leather balls after receiving negative reviews from players.³

1. Spalding
2. Wilson
3. Nike
4. Molten
5. Rawlings